System and Method for Harnessing and Distributing Normally Wasted Human Energy

Abstract

To harness the power generated by the fitness machines as a result of work expanded by human operators, the health equipment facility includes an On-Site Energy Generation, Storage and Distribution (GSD) module that serves as a medium between the local facility power distribution system and an external power grid. In general, the GSD module includes hardware, firmware and/or software for converting the mechanical energy generated by one or more fitness machines to electrical power, as well as computer executable instructions for allocating the electrical power between the local distribution system and an external power grid, or storing the generated power for future use.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]This invention relates generally to the field of power distribution and more specifically to the field of harnessing and distributing electrical power from alternative power sources.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]In the age of carbon emission concerns, identifying and efficiently delivering environmentally friendly sources of energy has become an important goal for both the government and the private sector. Environmentally friendly sources of electrical energy, or “green” energy as it is commonly called, include wind, solar, and hydroelectric energy sources that are typically associated with reduced pollution and lower carbon emission values.[0003]In an ongoing effort to bring down the cost of environmentally friendly energy delivery, additional sources of energy need to be identified. However, cost-effective delivery of green energy is impeded in part by the relative scarcity of efficient means for distributing any locally generated green energy beyon...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0004]Health equipment facilities, such as health clubs or physical rehabilitation centers, include various types of fitness equipment that serves to physically exercise the user. To harness the power generated by the fitness machines as a result of work expanded by human operators, the health equipment facility includes an On-Site Energy Generation, Storage and Distribution (GSD) module that serves as a medium between the local facility power distribution system and an external power grid. In general, the GSD module includes hardware, firmware and / or software for converting the mechanical energy generated by one or more fitness machines to electrical power, as well as computer executable instructions for allocating the electrical power between the local distribution system and an external power grid, or storing the generated power for future use.

[0005]In one aspect of the invention, a system is provided for harnessing and distributing electrical power from a fitness machine located in a building and operated by a human or animal operator, the system comprising (a) an electrical power generator coupled to the fitness machine for generating electrical power in response to an interaction of the operator with the fitness machine, (b) an energy storage device capable of storing at least some of the generated electrical power, and (c) a power controller adapted for accepting input of generated electrical power from the power generator, the power controller distributing the generated electrical power among one or more of the energy storage device, a building power distribution system, and a power grid external to the building, wherein the power grid supplies power to the building power distribution system.

[0006]In another aspect of the invention, a method is provided for harnessing and distributing electrical power from a fitness machine located in a building and operated by a human or animal operator, the method comprising (a) generating electrical power in response to an interaction of the operator with the fitness machine, (b) receiving an input of the generated electrical power, (c) assessing power consumption requirements for the building at a particular point in time, and (d) based on the assessment, distributing the generated electrical power among one or more of an energy storage device, a building power distribution system, and a power grid external to the building, wherein the power grid supplies power to the building power distribution system.

Problems solved by technology

However, cost-effective delivery of green energy is impeded in part by the relative scarcity of efficient means for distributing any locally generated green energy beyond the perimeter of the local environment.

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